SECONO .JOPY, 
I6b9. 



LIB RA^FJ0NJRESS. 

Chap.. Copyright No. 

SheltJJ&g/V" 

^UNITED STATES OF AME^CA. 



I 



Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2011 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/flightoftimeotheOObern 




HERMAN BERNSTEIN. 



THE FLIGHT OF TIME 



AND OTHER POEMS. 



BY 



HERMAN BERNSTEIN. 




F. TENNYSON NEELY, 

PUBLISHER, 



LONDON. 



NEW YORK. 



" 



n 



r\ 



26710 



Copyright, 1899, 

by 

F. Tennyson Neely 

in 

United States 

and 
Great Britain. 



All Bights Reserved. 
TWO CQP15S RECEIVED. 







TO 

JOHN CLARK RIDPATH, LL.D., 

THIS VOLUME IS 

RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED 

BY 

HERMAN BERNSTEIN. 



CONTENTS. 



PAOl 

The Flight of Time 7 

The Battle of Santiago. 9 

The Russian Jewish Rabbi 15 

Martyr Dreyfus 23 

America's Glorious Banner 29 

Never Parted. 31 

The Stars 32 

Rain and Sunshine 35 

A Legend 37 

Love 39 

The Bible 41 

Fame 43 

Onward, Onward! , 44 

French Justice 46 

David's Lament 48 

To the Poet 50 

Tears 53 

Man and Hope 54 

The Nectar of Life 59 

My Wish 61 



VI CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

To the Dnieper 63 

Music 65 

France 67 

The Love of Fame 70 

All Praise to Almighty , 71 

A Legend 73 

To a Nightingale '. 77 

The Wolf and the Cat 79 

The Puzzled Traveller , , 87 

Peace 83 

An Evening Prayer 91 

My Friend the Scribe 92 

Lines... , , 93 

Laurels , , 94 



The Flight of Time. 

What changeable visions are passing before me, 

As I from the train- window look ! 
Here rises a mountain, there passes a meadow, 

Now flashes a serpent-like brook. 



Now, swiftly revolving, the trees and the bushes 

Indulge in a wonderful dance, 
Nov/ pass, in an instant, a hut, or a mansion, 

A fair maiden's innocent glance. 



The train keeps on rattling, and rushing and roaring; 

And woe to the careless and faint, 
That fall 'neath the wheels of that merciless monster — 

They perish without a complaint. 



The Flight of Time. 



What wonderful visions are passing before me, 

As I from the Time-window gaze ! 
Here rambles a sorrow, there passes a pleasure, 

Now luxury flashes a blaze. 

There greed and success with contentment and down- 
fall 

Are lightning-like passing away, 
Now cries of the servant, now joys of the master, 

Now decency going astray. 

And Time goes on rattling, and rushing and roaring, 

But woe to the reckless and faint, 
That heed not the wheels of this merciless monster, 

Which hear not and fear no complaint. 



The Battle of Santiago. 

Listen, listen to the story 
Of our country's latest glory, 
Of our heroes' spirit wary 

On the battlefield ; 
Of the memorable battle, 
Where the Spaniards fell like cattle 

As the Yankee cannons pealed ! 



Silent joy was in our quarters; 

On the smooth and sparkling waters 

Stately stood our navy's daughters; 

Sabbath reigned supreme; 
Here and there some jovial sailor 
Spoke with zeal of Dewey's valor; 

Here and there was heard a hymn. 



The Flight of Time. 



Suddenly, past long protraction, 
Came the order: "Clear for action !" 
And with hearty satisfaction 

We obeyed the shout ! 
Near Socapa, o'er the mountains 
Smoke was seen to rise like fountains, 

As Cervera's fleet came out. 



In our bosoms vengeance swearing, 
Overhead our banner bearing, 
We were eagerly preparing 

For the fight with Spain ; 
For in base and brutal manner 
She polluted Freedom's banner, 

And destroyed our splendid Maine. 



10 



The Flight of Time. 



In a moment all was motion. 
Roaring went the mighty ocean 
When the cannons spoke our notion 

To the trembling Dons; 
And our hearts were firm and steady, 
And our hands with skill were ready 

At the deadly Yankee guns. 



Swifter than a dream's illusion 
Was our guess at their conclusion, 
As they hastened in confusion, 

Stricken with dismay; 
There they felt our cannon's shower, 
There they learned the Yankee power- 
There in Santiago Bay. 



11 



Ihe Flight of Time. 



Arm in arm for cause fraternal, 
Pouring forth a fire infernal, 
We have sent to sleep eternal 

Champions of wrong! 
Men and engines, intermingled, 
Hurt and bruised, and crushed and tingled, 

Feather-like were tossed along. 



Finally, as we were nearing 

To the enemy, 'mid cheering, 

We perceived their war ships sheering, 

Dragging to the shore; 
Beaming in the sunny splendor 
Waved the banner of surrender 

On the scattered "Memo' -war!" 



12 



The Flight of Time. 



Then the bravest of our freemen, 
Tenderer than tender women, 
Rushed to save the dying seamen 

From the shattered decks, 
Where the wounded were forsaken 
By their friends, who, horror-shaken, 

Hastened from the sinking wrecks. 



And our bosoms, lighter growing, 
Filled with pity overflowing, 
When the old Cervera, bowing, 

Offered us his sword; 
Touched with innermost emotion, 
With a genuine devotion 

Praised we the Almighty Lord ! 



13 



The Flight of Time. 



And forever will this story 
Demonstrate our latest glory, 
And our heroes' spirit wary 

On that brilliant day 
Of the memorable battle, 
Where the Spaniards fell like cattle- 
There in Santiago Bay. 



14 



The Russian Jewish Rabbi, 

(From the Russian.) 

Old and gray, his shoulders bent, 
Tall and meager like a cane, 
To my door came up a man, 
When the day began to wane. 



In one hand he held a staff, 
While the other wiped a tear, 
Like the leaves on swinging boughs, 
He had shrunk from cold and fear. 



'Peace to you,' , he calmly said, 
While a tear had rilled his eye ; 
On his face I noticed grief, 
From his heart I heard a sigh. 



15 



The Flight of Time. 



; 'Can you take me 'neath your roof? 
I am tired, and weak, and old ; 
Just like death, severe and sharp, 
Crude and merciless the cold. 



"I am hungry, bare, and poor, 
Orphan -like I am on soil, 
For I cannot tug for life 
By my hands, or mental toil. 



"I had been a teacher once, 
And our children I had taught; 
God's my witness — I had e'er 
Earnestly my duties wrought. 



16 



The Flight of Time. 



"Now our children have grown up, 
Like grand flowers they still grow, 
And I drink the bitter cup, 
Suffering in tears and woe." 



Silent then became the man. 
And the tears have rolled and rolled. 
On his sad and wrinkled face 
A reproach I could behold. 



This was meant for him, whose heart 
In the careless body sleeps, 
Who is merciless, unmoved, 
When a struggler sighs and weeps. 



IT 



The Flight of Time. 



ii. 



When in slumber earth was hushed, 
My fatigued and suffering guest 
Finally in pleasant sleep 
Found forgetf ulness and rest. 



Then night's queen, the wingy dream, 
Looked at him and sweetly smiled, 
Carried him at once away, 
Where he lived while yet a child. 



Here's his father's little house, 
Where he passed his childhood days, 
Where his heart had freely breathed 
Near his mates at friendly plays. 



1$ 



The Flight of Time. 



Here's the temple, where he oft 
With his father ran to pray. 
Tell me, dearest, why we haste," 
To his papa he would say. 



" Child, the Sabbath-hour is near, 
And the temple's open wide — 
There our souls will find repose, 
Far from care and straggling's tide." 



In the dismal synagogue 
Darkness, gloom reign over all. 
Now the rigid sexton goes 
To the corner. By the wall 



19 



The Flight of Time. 



Stands a candle on a shaft; 
Fast to it he makes his way, 
Then, by turn, he lights each lamp, 
And, when done, he walks away. 



Thus the gloomy synagogue 
Soon assumed an aspect bright; 
And the boy with eager eyes 
Follows every trembling light. 



"Where's the candle and the shaft, 
That, like in a fairy land, 
Instantly created light 
By mysterious command?" 



20 



The Flight of Time. 



"By the customary hand, 
By the hand that used the light, 
When its mission was performed, 
It was slip-shod cast aside. ' ' 



in. 



Jewish, tired and sufT'ring Rabbi, 
Such, poor teacher, is your fate ! 
Keeper of the Lord's commandments, 
Was your toil not holy, great? 

Have you not with holy blazes 
Lit our children's heart and soul? 
Have you not, inspired like prophets, 
Taught them life's true end and goal? 



21 



The Flight of Time. 



Rabbi, did you not instruct them 
To believe, to love and wait, 
To be honest, true and faithful, 
"With a heart for any fate?" 



"Well, and now? . . . With mute affliction 
You are wandering alone, 
O'er your head a fearful darkness, 
In your heart a deathly moan. 



Martyr Dreyfus. 



The ocean is furiously raging, 

Uplifting the billows with might; 

No star is there sparkling in heaven 
And colder than death is the night. 



No ship ever carries there freemen, 

No fruit genders there Mother Earth; 

A step-child of nature, that island 

Was cursed at the moment of birth. 



And there on a rock sits a martyr 

With heart like a tomb for despair; 

So bent are his head and his shoulders, 
So thin and so gray is his hair. 



23 



The Flight of Time. 



He watches the ocean enraged, 
And fiads in that fury repose ; 

He constantly stares into distance— 
With longing his heart overflows. 



An outcast of France, the enlightened. 

Forsaken by justice of man, 
He bears on his wretched existence — - 

Existence which is but a span. 



As soldier and man an example, 
He answered humanity's call; 

The pride of his nation upholding, 
He'd perish than suffer it falL 



24 



The Flight of Time. 



But envy, the fiercest of serpents, 
Whose mission is but to destroy, 

Arose, in a rattle, to deaden 

His greatness, his honor, his joy. 



The mightiest, armed with justice — 

With justice that flatters their might — 

Had spider-like woven and woven 

Till dragged was their prey from his height. 



His sword and his armor they shattered, 
His guiltless hands tightened in chains; 

The brow of his honor they tarnished 
And feasted upon its remains. 



25 



The Flight of Time. 



He sees now his nation oppressed 
In misery, woe, and disgrace; 

The pitiful lot of his kindred 

In friendlessness' marble embrace. 



Then, shrinking, his lips he reopens 
And calls in a heart-breaking tone; 

He listens — he hears but his heart beat, 
He hears but re-echoed his moan. 



His comrades are deaf to his prayers, 
They see not his horrible woes ; 

Their hearts are the dwelling of serpents, 
They now are his bitterest foes. 



26 



The Flight of Time. 



To be so ignobly degraded 

By France he so sacredly served ! 
What tortures to innocent conscience 

That never from duty had swerved ! 



He prays then to France for assistance 
And Justice implores for relief — 

Their eyes are, alas! 'neath a bandage, 

They're blind to his wounds and his grief. 



He mourns for the pride of his nation, 
So stained on the face of the earth ; 

And grieves for his dear little children, 
Those innocent victims of birth. 



27 



The Flight of Time. 



The sunbeams he sees now, are burning 
The bandage from Justice's clear eyes; 

And visions, inspiring and pleasant, 
Before him so vividly rise. 



He thinks then of France, the enlightened, 
The nation's and kindred's embrace; 

While, eagerly waiting and waiting, 
Hot tears trickle over his face. 



America's Glorious Banner. 

I love you, Old Glory, the queen of the banners, 
I love your inspiring and heavenly view; 

The stars and the stripes that so brilliantly sparkle 
Bear sweet recollections I cherish in you. 



Most glorious emblem of Union and freedom, 
My hope and my courage, my Lord overhead, 

For you beats my heart, for the flag of my nation. 
For you I would pass to the land of the dead ! 



How sweet 'tis to think and to chant of our heroes, 
The noblest and bravest uplifters of Eight ! 

They live for our nation or died for our country, 
They crowned us with glory on Liberty's height ! 



n 



The Flight of Time, 



Your glory's the greatest reward for our martyrs, 
Your strength is the refuge for wronged in the 
strife ; 

Your grace is the torchlight of justice and freedom, 
Your history every American's life ! 

Our vigilant sons from all parts of the country, 
As brave as of yore, at your call had appeared ! 

In time when a danger had threatened our banner, 
Whose courage was shattered? Whose bosom 
had feared? 

I love you, Old Glory, the queen of the banners, 
I love your inspiring and heavenly view ! 

The stars and the stripes that so brilliantly sparkle 
Bear sweet recollections I cherish in you ! 



30 



Never Parted. 

'Neath sunshine's brilliant glare, 
The tender breeze's care, 
Refreshed by morning dew, 
Close side by side, one fragrant spring 
Two charming roses grew. 

The rustling leaf, the bird, 

The tree, the lamb and herd — 

All sang to Him above ! 

They never parted — knew no woe — 

They lived in happy love. 

When petals start to wane 

These roses met again, 

In love and union bless'd; 

The one was on my darling's heart — 

The other on my breast. 



31 



The Stars, 



Earth is hushed in deathlike slumber. 
Brilliant stars in countless number 
In the azure sky are shining. 
Silent grow my heart's vexations; 
Sweet and soothing expectations, 
Rising, check my soul's repining! 

How your glitter, stars, I cherished 
In the happy days that perished, 
In the days of sweet contentment ! 
Childhood's joys had firmly bound me 
As I loved the world around me, 
And my heart kuew no resentment I 



83 



The Flight of Time. 



In your sparkling eyes above me 
Were reflected hearts that love me, 
Souls enraptured in your beauty ! 
And your whisper was so pleasant, 
So enticing was the present, 
Life was joy, not pressing duty. 

Meanwhile Time was onward rushing 
As I sank in sorrow's gushing, 
Lone, forgotten, unprotected. 
Lightning-like my youth has left me, 
From all holiest she reft me 
Hopeless, shattered and dejected. 



33 



The Flight of Time. 



Yet the stars, in splendor gleaming, 
As of yore their rays are streaming — 
Brilliant, solemn and majestic. 
And, methinks, those eyes above me, 
Bring me back the hearts that lov'd me, 
Charming dreams and scenes domestic. 



Then my soul in youth's embraces, 
Drowned in blessings, upward faces 
Emblems of divine affection. 
And my aching heart grows lighter; 
Life again is sweeter, brighter 
In this blissful recollection. 



34 



Rain and Sunshine. 

The rain has passed ; and now the earth 
Is hushed in sleep profound. 

The petals, calmly swinging, hark 
The breeze's tender sound. 

And on the flowers sparkle tears 

Forgotten by the cloud, 
That floated o'er our troubled earth 

In rage severe and proud. 

The night has passed. The sun again 
Spreads o'er the earth his light — 

Again our heart's desires revive, 
Again our life is bright ! 



35 



The Flight of Time. 



Thus, Nature's always wont our soul 
In various moods to dress — 

Just now she grants us ease and joy- 
Now, struggles and distress. 



A Legend, 



Inspired by solemn sounds 
Of a bewitching harp 

King David made his psalms 
Melodious and sharp. 

Then birds had dared not sing, 
The waters did not run — 

King David's hymn was sung 
All over 'neath the sun. 

But when King David's tired 
Our mighty Lord to praise, 

Then birds from everywhere 
Their ringing voices raise. 



37 



The Flight of Time, 



The waters start to flow, 

They roar with hearty mirth, 

With praise from zone to zone 
They fill our mother earth. 



Love. 

{From the Bussian.) 

Lonely I have wandered o'er the highway; 

Through the mist the flinty road is bright; 
And the desert listens to the Almighty, 

While the stars talk in the calm of night. 



Heaven seems so wonderful and solemn ; 

Earth has sunk into a sparkling blue, 
Why am I so weary and so painful? 

Is there aught I wait for, or I rue? 



There is naught on earth below I hope for, 
And my past I not at all regret ! 

All I seek is quietude and freedom, 
And myself in slumber to forget. 



The Flight of Time. 



But not in a cold sepulchral slumber 
Wish I in forgetfulness to rest — 

That within me vital sparkle vigor, 
Breathing, peacefully may rise my breast ! 



That by day and night my ear be petted 
By bewitching songs of loyal love ! 

That an evergreen and shady oak tree, 
Stooping, sweetly murmur from above ! 



40 



The Bible. 

How dearly I love every page of the Bible ! 
My hopes, and my pleasures, my joys and my sor- 
rows, 
That aimlessly rambled and vanished like sparrow?. 
Are closely combined with that reverend book ! 

Each page is reviving a scene of my childhood, 
A glimpse of those innocent youthful affections ; 
Each line is a fountain of sweet recollections — 
So healing and pure is that wonderful book ! 

How wildly bewitching your charms were, my child- 
hood ! 
My bosom breathed freely, my heart was contented, 
I loved all the world, I seldom resented — 
I loved it — I knew not its dangers and whims, 



41 



The Flight of Time. 



And when to my bosom some sorrow is nearing, 
I bury, O Bible, my thoughts in your stories; 
I live with your heroes and feast at their glories, 
For mine were those heroes, the dreams of my past. 



43 



Fame. 

How truly enticing is Fame to the great, 

Immortal and powerful Fame ! 
For grasses and flowers are destined to wither, 

But never a glorious name. 



What joy 'tis to fire in humanity's bosom 
A wholesome and glittering light ! 

To watch and to waken the slumbering spirit, 
And preach to it Justice and right ! 



'Tis stronger than Death, it is better than rubies, 

The wreath of humanity's guard ; 
Though kingdoms are shattered and rulers for- 
gotten, 

Eternal is greatness' reward. 



43 



Onward, Onward! 

Onward, Man, go ever onward ! 
March on with the waves of Life ! 
Moving, ever moving onward, 
Be no coward in the strife ! 



Marching onward, help the weaker ! 
Help the suffering on earth ! 
Onward, ever going onward, 
Bring no shame upon your birth ! 



Live your life for you — for others ! 
Know its earnest, vital goal : 
"Onward, onward, ever onward 
Let your noble doings roll!" 



U 



The Flight of Time. 



Nobler, purer, higher, greater 
Strive to be from day to day! 
Marching, ever marching onward^ 
You will reach a better way ! 



Then your life shall not be dreary, 
Shall not press you any more ; 
Surely, safely marching onward, 
Being loved, you will adore ! 



Calmly, friendly teach and study 
Life's prerogative on earth! 
Onward, Man, go ever onward, 
And your life be living worth ! 



45 



French Justice, 



Enveloped in genuine mourning attire, 
Lower, O Justice, thy shame-stricken face ! 
Descend in repentance the height of the past, 
Wrapped in mantle of mortal disgrace ! 



Humanity's garland becomes thee no more! 
Lost in defame thy integrity's hand ! 
Thy paramount mission, polluted with shame, 
Cowardly fell like a structure of sand ! 



What? clasping Corruption's contemptuous arms 
Didst thou not shudder in fever of death? 
And did not thy conscience rebel like a storm, 
When thou approached her horrible breath? 



46 



Tlie Flight of Time. 



0, where was thy heart when thy prophet and guide 
Spoke of the harvest thy future will reap? 
And where was thy soul when that noblest of guards 
Fearlessly threatened thy dangerous sleep? 



Thy pedestal, Justice, is shattered and gone ! 
Mockery, Falsehood have taken thy stead ! 
So kneel in thy genuine mourning attire, 
Bitterly weep, for thy mission is dead ! 



The earth from all sides will assist thee to mourn, 
Raising in sorrowful accents her voice, 
"In struggle for Justice great Zola was wronged!" 
Wronged, he will rise and in triumph rejoice. 



47 



David's Lament. 

Wail and lament, ye fair daughters of Zion, 
Your lyres shall resound a sad strain ! 

Earthward the pride of the mighty has fallen 
And Israel's beauty was slain. 

Tell not in Gath, and announce not in Asklon 
Lest Philistine's warriors rejoice — 

Vilely was cast on the field of the battle 
Jehovah's and Israel's choice. 



Mountains of Gilboa, no dew shall refresh you, 
No rain shall descend on those fields ! 

Saul and Jonathan, the noble and fearless, 
Have lost there their armor and shields. 



48 



The Flight of Time. 



Swifter than eagles and stronger than lions, 

Whom Love had united in life 
Perished together, for Death could not sever 

The heroes who fell in the strife. 



Brother Jonathan, distressed is my spirit, 

My heart is repining for thee ! 
Truer than woman's had been the affection, 

The friendship thou cherished for me ! 



"Wail and lament, ye fair daughters of Zion, 
Whom Saul in delights had attired ! 

Earthward the pride of the mighty had fallen 
And Israel's glory expired. 



49 



To the Poet. 

When the furious battle is storming and raging, 
When Man is the servant, and Lead is his master^ 

When the cannons are roaring in rapid succession 
And whelming all round them in deadly disaster ; 

When the blood of the conquered is trickling and 
streaming, 

When bosoms are burning and senses are freezing, 
When in volumes their moans are uprising to heaven, 

Uprising, unheeded, the battle unceasing; 

Soldier-drummer, beat your drum, 

Soften, cleanse the wicked soul ! 
Balm of Gilead give the hearts — 

Hearts that lost their end or goal ! 



50 



The Flight of Time. 



In the strife of the world, untiring and brutal, 
Where Love is a vision and Mammon is master, 

Where the weak and the decent, the true and the 
noble, 
Are victims of wrong, of disgrace, and disaster ; 



Where the ground 'neath the warriors in fearful con- 
vulsions 
Is thrown by the sight of the blood of our Abels, 
Where the monsters rejoice o'er the dead and de- 
feated— 
Defeated that fell in our sin-stricken Babels — 



Soldier-poet, beat your drum, 

Rap upon each wicked soul, 
Creep into each brutish heart, 

Beat and teach them — that's your role! 



51 



The Flight of Time. 



Do not weaken when mocked while performing your 
mission : 
Your fate is to suffer, to teach is your duty ; 
In your own heart and soul are your shield and 
your armor; 
Go, preach to mankind, then, of Right, Love, and 
Beauty ! 



b% 



Tears. 

When sadness lays on me her hand 
And haunts me with her pains and fears, 
"When like the ocean storms my heart 
And all my joys, like Spring, depart, 
Stream on, stream on, O burning tears ! 

What wondrous craft and healing balm 
Are you, O tears, unto my breast ! 
Like songs of love, removed from care, 
Or some believer's earnest prayer, 
My soul you fill with mirth and rest. 



Alone, unnoticed by the throng, 
Stream on, then, undisturbed, my tears ! 
Like dew, refresh my withered past, 
Suppress my bosom's raging blast, 
And banish, as you flow, my fears ! 



53 



Man and Hope. 

Hope. 

0, heed not, Man, thy miserable fate ! 

Forget thy fruitless disenchanted strife ! 
.Not thou alone hast drunk the bitter cup, 
Not thine alone seems useless, poisoned life ! 

Cling fast to me, embrace me once again 

And let thy head in reverend belief, 
In sweet oblivion sink upon my breast, 

So distant and so free from earthly grief ! 

Man. 

Forget the Past and start to live anew? 

To bury all that was to me so dear, 
And be forbidden yet to mourn my loss? 

To smile when from my eye springs forth a teai 



54 



The Flight of Time. 



And feign to love when hatred fills my breast, 
A mortal hate for all the ills of earth, 

When in infernal agony my soul 

Is chained within my frame, is dead to mirth? 

And when thy sweet and holy vows revive, 
Thy promises that streamed like brilliant rays, 

I shudder, dreadening my doubtful mind. . . 
How eloquent, bewitching were thy lays ! 

It seemed as though thy glory came on earth 

O'er suffering humanity to light, 
And, like an angel, wrapped in healing truth, 

Thou ledst my then distracted soul aright. 



55 



The Flight of Time. 



I idolized thy words ! Thy glance had cast 
Bright beams upon my solitary way, 

And happy, full of verdant faith in life, 
I onward went, unhindered by dismay. 



Oh, Fairy, why was not thy marble heart, 
When dropped on earth, to thousands atoms 
smashed? 

Thy tongue not petrified, thy lips and eyes, 
Those weapons serpentine, were they not dashed 



And rendered powerless by thy sudden fall? 

Oh, no, thou hadst no heart ! That was a dream, 
Another puzzle yet unsolved by human mind, 

A fire of fantasy, a bright, malicious beam ! 



56 



The Flight of Time. 



Be silent, Hope ! No longer will I move 
In thy enticing, unacquainted sphere ! 

Life's thorny road, beneath thy dazzling glare, 
And my repeated falls were too severe ! 

Hope. 

Thy mind I welcome, thy immortal power 

Shall find access into my grand domain ! 
Do not resist ! Thou must succumb to me, 

Or else thy life shall be a cheerless strain ! 

Man. 

Enough ! What cowards makes of us distress, 
To seek in enemies a molient aid ! 

I'm thine, I'm thine! Again I see a light 
Where sorrow dwelt in disappointment's shade ! 



57 



The Nectar of Life. 

Leaping, laughing and rejoicing, 
Children pass their youthful days; 
Happy, lively, free from sorrow, 
They anticipate the morrow 
Glorified by brilliant rays. 



And to them the rushing future 
Seems so prosperous and bright ! 
While the days are onward streaming, 
O'er their heads the sun is beaming, 
And their hearts are light, so light. 

Swiftly pass those happy moments, 
Leaving not a trace behind ! 
And with time they're turning dreary, 
Cold, and mournful, and weary, 
Poisoning the heart and mind. 



58 



The Flight of Time, 



Painful, grievous and regretful, 
Men approach the common Fate ; 
And, on nearing, they consider : 
"Why on earth e'en Man must wither?" 
But they think of it too late ! 

They are put into a coffin ; 

Covered soon by Mother earth ; 

And, to close the earthly blessing, 

Stones the dead men's frames are pressing, 

Telling of their death and birth. 

But not so with man ideal ! 
His is everlasting life ! 
Happy like a child forever, 
Useful, great in his endeavor; 
Love's his armor in the strife ! 



59 



The Flight of Time. 



Love dictates him: "Help the weaker! 
Lead the erring to the right!" 
And his heart grows nobler, dearer, 
To the struggling — better, nearer, 
Full of joy and pure delight ! 

When the time arrives for resting 
To this hero in the fight, 
Monuments of noble actions 
Eise before him — great attractions — 
And he rests so light, so light. 



60 



My Wish. 

{From the Russian ) 

O, WHY am I not like the bird of the plain, 

That rapidly darted above? 
O, could I but hover and wing through the sky 

And nothing but liberty love ! 



I'd make then my flight to the West, to the West, 
Where the fields of my forefathers rise ! 

On mounts overcast, in a tenantless seat — 
Where the dust of my ancestry lies. 



The family shield on my old native walls 
Clings close to the sword full of rust; 

I'd float o'er the shield, o'er the sword I would fly 
My pinions would whisk off their dust ! 



61 



The Flight of Time. 



The strings of dear Scotia's harp I would touch, 
And a soft pensive strain would resound — 

And harkened by one, as awakened by one, 
It would sink into silence profound. 



But vain are the longings and useless the prayers 

'Gainst Destiny's rigid decrees! 
Between the dear mounts of my country and me 

Are rolling the waves of the seas. 



The final descendant of champions brave 
In the land of the snow is to wane. 

A Russian by birth, I'm a stranger by soul. 
O ! were I but a bird of the plain ! 



63 



To the Dnieper. 



Most wonderful river ! How oft did my soul 
In thy waters' mysterious whisper rejoice! 
How light was my heart when I sat on thy banks, 
When I heard in thy gushing Eternity's voice ! 



The sun and the moon, and the stars in their turn 
O'er thy powerful bosom have cheerfully danced; 
Thy glide that reflected the blue of the skies 
By the nightingale's marvelous lay was entranced. 



Absorbed in oblivion of heavenly mirth, 

As if roaming through dreamland, my soul was at 

ease, 
When century oaks in a murmuring sweet, 
Had unburdened their hearts to the life-giving 

breeze. 



63 



The Flight of Time. 



But years have elapsed. My poetical dreams 
Are obscured by the gloom of surrounding distress ; 
No longer are fervent emotions inspired 
By thy whisper once sweet and thy former caress ! 



The lays of the birds so bewitching and free 
Are replaced by the heart-rending sighs of dis- 
tressed, 
The moans of despaired and of crestfallen slaves, 
That are yearning for Freedom, ignobly suppressed. 



So mournfully watch thee the century oaks, 
So reproachful the moon, and the stars, and the sun — 
They see that thy waves, like the creatures of earth, 
Seek to swallow the weak as they constantly run. 



64 



Music. 

The holiest missions and mightiest powers 
That govern the deeds of the heart and the mind, 
The noble and lofty, the grand and divine 
In waves of melodious tones are combined. 



They shelter the outbursts of genuine joy, 
The worthy endeavors of pure and sublime, 
They shelter our sorrows, our woes and our tears, 
Recalling the wonderful dreams of our prime ! 



The sighs of our grief -stricken soul they reflect, 
The forcible wrath of our sensitive breast, 
The outbursts of passions so vain and absurd, 
That shatter our spirit and deaden our rest. 



65 



The Flight of Time. 



The whisper of Cupid, the pillar of hope, 
The zeal and the fire of the lover's first kiss, 
With nature absorbed in a harmony sweet, 
Inspire in us visions of marvelous bliss. 



And when in my bosom assemble those sounds, 
My soul soars away into dreamland above ; 
I know not of sadness, of sorrow and pain — 
I crave then for nothing but freedom and love. 



66 



France. 

Is this the France 

That did entrance 

The world in by-gone days? 

Is this her face, 

Her former grace 

And these her winning ways? 



Is this the land, 

Whose stern command 

The greatest kingdoms trembling set? 

And this the head 

That always led 

In teaching nations etiquette? 



67 



The Flight of Time. 



How low she's sunk, 

In evil drunk, 

With hope too faint to rise ! 

Her face, her frame, 

Are marked with shame, 

"With mud her winking eyes. 



The paint is off ! 

Her lovers scoff 

And in disgust they turn aside ; 

They warned her long, 

That brutal wrong 

Was hidden 'neath her mask of pride. 



68 



The Flight of Time. 



Her tact of old 

Away has rolled 

And turned from noble base; 

Her fate was sealed 

When Time revealed 

That shocking Dreyfus case ! 



With lowered head, 

Her conscience dead, 

She beats her funeral march on earth ; 

And in her fall 

Fears to recall 

Her days of happiness and mirth. 



69 



The Love of Fame. 

A restlessness of Genius, 

A marvelous desire 
To elevate the world, 

Humanity inspire, 



That his beloved ideals 
Immortalize his name — 

In consciousness of greatness 
Abides the Love of Fame. 



70 



All Praise to Almignty. 

All praise to Almighty, the Lord of Creation, 
Who guided and guarded our men in the field, 

Who armored with courage our boys on the waters ! 
All praise to Almighty, our president's shield ! 



All praise to McKinley, the head of our Nation, 
"Whose spirit he voiced with decision and care ! 

By civilized warfare he brought us to glory, 
All praise to our leader, all praise we can spare ! 



All praise to our sailors, all praise to our soldiers ! 

United they fought for Humanity's cause 
And raised over slaves the American banner ! 

So cheer them, great nation, with zealous applause ! 



71 



The Flight of Time. 



All praise to the spirit and heart of our nation, 
Whose blood could not rest till a vigorous hand 

Was offered the chivalrous seekers of Freedom, 
Obscured and oppressed in a crime-stricken land! 



So let us forget our complaints and our quarrels 
And, cheerfully raising together, our voice, 

Announce to the world that in Liberty's triumph 
All parts of our glorious Union rejoice ! 



72 



A Legend. 



When God, the Almighty, created the world 
And breathed into Adam the spirit of Heaven; 

When Life and Existence to creatures of earth, 
To heavenly bodies was skillfully given, 



The Sun and the Moon were alike in their power- 
In equal proportions performing their duty — 

They poured o'er the universe life-giving rays, 
Attiring creation in marvelous beauty. 



The moon was, howe'er, with her fate not content 
And yearning for glory still greater and greater, 

She poisoned her quiet with Envy and Hate 

Till thus she approached the Almighty Creator :- 



73 



The Flight of Time, 



" 0, source of wisdom, hark my words 

And heed your faithful servant's prayer! 
The makings of your hands are great, 
Your world is wonderfully fair ! 



Great Reignor of the Universe ! 

Your single word hath made the skies, 
And Earth, and Man, and beast, and tree, 

The mystery of mysteries. 



" You stir the mighty ocean's waves 

And cyclones move at your command; 
You silence lions in their rage — 
All Nature's guided by your hand. 



74 



The Flight of Time. 



" O, wherefore, God of Justice, why- 
Bid you both luminaries light 
With equal glare and equal power 
And made monotonous our plight 



" Since even Men, the kings of Earth, 
With soul immortal and divine 
Were made unequal in their strife — 
And Eve to Adam must resign?' ' 



And just as the moon had concluded her prayer, 
And thought of her future so glorious and pleasant, 

The Universe trembled. 'Mid thunders and light- 
nings 
Replied then distinctly the Lord Omnipresent : — 



W 



The Flight of Time. 



" You hate Equality? You crave 
To be a master or a slave? 
Henceforth the sun will give you light— 
You lose your freedom and your might." 



76 



To a Nightingale. 

What a heavenly voice 
Makes my bosom rejoice 

As you sing; 
When you swing on a bough 

In the spring, 
O, Nightingale, sweet Nightingale ! 



Now you rest, now you flee 
O'er a bush, o'er a tree, 

Now you spring, 
Now you pray to the Lord 

As you sing, 
O, Nightingale, sweet Nightingale ! 



77 



The Flight of Time. 



And your wing is as free 
As my 3 T outh and my glee, 

When you rise 
Through the air, when you soar 

To the skies, 
O, Nightingale, sweet Nightingale! 



And your song, full of charm, 
Is removed from alarm, 

And your trill — 
It resounds over dale, 

Over hill, 
0, Nightingale, sweet Nightingale ! 



78 



The Flight of Time. 



To the king, to the slave, 
To the coward and brave 

Goes your lay, 
Brings relief to the heart 

In dismay, 
O, Nightingale, sweet Nightingale ! 



Were so pow'rful my word, 
Sweetest migrating bird, 

As is yours ! 
Were my song of the kind 

That endures, 
0, Nightingale, sweet Nightingale ! 



79 



The Flight of Time. 



For the sake of the song 
I would sing to the throng 

Of their doles ! 
I would shatter the chains 

Of their souls, 
O, Nightingale, sweet Nightingale! 



And the trills of my heart 
To mankind would impart 

All my mirth, 
When the slave would be gone 

From our earth, 
O, Nightingale, sweet Nightingale ! 



80 



The Flight of Time. 



As you search for a nest, 
For a way and a rest, 

I would seek 
As my dwelling the breasts 

Of the weak, 
O, Nightingale, sweet Nightingale ! 



And to them I would cling 
And would ceaselessly sing 

Songs of Love; 
Until Justice would shine 

From above, 
0, Nightingale, sweet Nightingale ! 



SI 



The Wolf and the Cat. 

(WITH APOLOGIES TO KRYLOFF.) 

A wolf came one night, 
All trembling with fright, 

To save from base hunters his life ; 
But to his ill fate 
Was closed every gate 

And sleep in the village was rife. 

"Do tell me, my dear!" 
The Cat that stood near 

In sorrowful tones he addressed. 
" Do tell, if you can, 
Where is a good man 

To give me a shelter, my best!" 



8* 



The Flight of Time. 



'Just list to those barks, 
The terrible marks 

Of the dogs that are after my fur ! 
Come, show me, my best, 
A place where to rest. 

Have mercy on me, I implore!" 



"The best, to be sure, 
Is Johnson to poor, 

He'll welcome a stranger, I guess." 
Grimalkin so spoke — 
His conscience awoke — 

He pitied the Wolf in distress. 



83 



The Flight of Time. 



"I killed once an ox 
And frightened the flocks 

Of Johnson, your kind-hearted man ! 
In vain would I plead 
To help me in need — 

He'll hurt me if ever he can!" 



'Try Paul 'cross the street, 
The dealer in meat ; 

Perhaps he will silence your foes ; 
Or might Uncle Bill, 
The boss of the mill, 

Will bring you relief from your woes!" 



84 



The Flight of Time. 



"Your Paul and your Bill, 
That boss of the mill, 

Would surely rejoice if I came — 
They both in a breath 
Would club me to death — 

I wronged them so badly, they claim !" 



So, hasten, at least, 

To Nathan, the Priest — 

His duty is kindness of heart!" 
By this time the sounds 
Of trumpets and hounds 

Announced them the hour came to part. 



85 



The Flight of Time. 



"My friend, you are queer," 
Said puss with a sneer, 

"To beg here for shelter and rest! 
Our men are no fools 
To strengthen the tools 

Of him they so fear and detest ! 



"For no one would save 
His enemy grave, 

When over his plunder he bleeds — 
No fruit ever grows, 
Where brambles one sows — 

Rewards have been measured by deeds !" 



86 



The Puzzled Traveller. 

By the crossways, tired, be stood 

And knew not where to go ; 
Contrite were his heart and mood — 

On either side he met a foe. 
At his right was naught but fire, 

His left but ice and. snow; 
Ere his aim is readied, expire 

He must in agony of woe ; 
Then came a flash of thought and solved the 
riddle — 

He safely walked away into the middle. 



SI 



Peace, 



'Tis done. The regiments disband ; 

The battle-drums are hushed ! 
The Men-o'-War at ease 
Are sailing o'er the seas 
And thirst no more for blood ! — 

'Tis done. The foe is crushed ! 



The smokes of cannons rise no more 
To dim the warrior's eyes ! 

The flag of Peace, unfurled, 

Is waving o'er the world ! 

The glorious flag in mighty hands 
Is rising to the skies ! 



68 



The Flight of Time. 



And Freedom's voice in triumph grand 
Rang out on land and sea ; 

"'Tis time that shells and swords, 

The soulless earthy Lords, 

That deadly arms are turned to plows, 
'Tis time that Man is free!" 



That Earth from zone to zone pours forth 
A grand thanksgiving prayer — 

That Lambs to Lions cling 

'Neath Freedom's tender wing 

And all is clothed in brilliant Spring 
Beneath a peaceful glare!" 



89 



The Flight of Time. 



The smokes of cannons rise no more 
To dim the warrior's eyes! 

The flag of Peace, unfurled, 

Is waving o'er the world ! 

A glorious flag in mighty hands 
Is rising to the skies ! 



90 



An Evening Prayer. 

Slowly creep the nightly shades 

Over hill and dale; 
Here and there, on bough and twig, 

Sings the nightingale 
Sweet and solemn evening prayers ; 

And zealously the trees 
All their gratitude to God 

Whisper to the breeze; 
And the restless little brook, 

When the skies grow dim, 
In sweet harmony recites 

His eternal hymn; 
Then the moon's inspiring beams 

The brooklet's ripples kiss, 
While the earth in ecstasy 

Kevolves in wondrous bliss. 



91 



My Friend the Scribe. 

Predestined by the Fates to scribe, 
He wastes the paper as he goes; 
Too poor, too weak the world to bribe, 
Work as he will — he cannot gain 
The fame of, say — Cyrano's nose. 



92 



The Flight of Time. 



Children, fools and donkeys, 
"lis said, can tell the future far, 
And if they do not guess, they are- 
Children, fools and donkeys. 



93 



The Flight of Time. 



Laurels on an idler's brow 
Are like a saddle on a cow. 



94 



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